November’s at an end, and it seems we barely scratched the surface with the topic of “Suffering with Christ”. Don’t worry, we’ve got it noted down as something to cover more of in the future.
To decorate for the season of Advent, starting December 1st, we’ll have an Advent wreath….
In school, children are taught that the first Thanksgiving took place when Native Americans brought food to Puritan settlers. No one really thinks about the idea of giving thanks in a Catholic context. Since we celebrate Thanksgiving every year, it is important
Thanksgiving is nearly upon us. Families are planning gatherings all around the country—hopefully, joyful ones. The reality, though, is that many are mentally cladding themselves in iron cloaks and adopting a survivor’s mentality in anticipation of dinner with their family members.
It would be nice if I could hit a “Pause” button on life right now. I’m in such a pleasant situation, and have been for many months. Oh sure, I have my struggles, but they seem small compared to past ones. Meantime…
Depression is a difficult topic to discuss. It afflicts a lot of people, but too often we miss seeing it in someone or we don’t know how to talk about it without causing offense. I have suffered from depression and know others who have as well. Here are my thoughts on it.
Later that same day, I went in for a physical therapy appointment to treat a longstanding bout of tendonitis. It’s not a big issue, but lately I have been dissatisfied. My mindset has been to criticize my body…
When the Catholic Church uses a word like “celibacy,” the world’s reaction is immediately hostile. A lot of the time, the first word people think of is “restrictive.” The world sees celibacy as a ridiculous imposition that the Church puts upon some of her members to exercise excessive control over their lives.
You might be familiar with the parable of the three servants entrusted with different numbers of talents. The classic interpretation of this parable says that the talents represent our different gifts and abilities. Some people have more, some less, but we’re all called to use our gifts for God. Recently I heard an alternative interpretation…
God could have redeemed us in any number of ways, but He didn’t. He chose the Incarnation as the best way to save us. Why?
September has been quite a month at St. Joseph’s Shelf! This past weekend, Vir Christi’s article “The Role of Friends in the Spiritual Life” was featured in a Catholic daily news roundup. To all you new readers who found us that way, welcome!
Have you ever thought about why Catholics make the Sign of the Cross so often? Too many times, we do it sloppily. We rush through the movement, perhaps not touching the correct points (forehead, chest, left and right shoulders), as we mumble the Trinitarian formula.
Unlike the rich young man, St. Matthew does not go looking for Jesus. As Father said, Matthew probably got up that morning thinking it’d be a normal day and pondering how much money he would make. Then Jesus passes by.
The most concrete example of friendship in the Scriptures is the interaction between Jesus and the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12). Everyone rightfully pays attention to what Jesus does when the paralytic comes down through the roof. Less frequently discussed are the friends. Their conduct is a clear example of what authentic friendship…
Catholics are a blessed lot. United in our faith, we can go to Confession with any priest. Nevertheless, it’s helpful to have a regular confessor. But we shouldn’t pick just anyone. After all, we’re fighting a spiritual battle. A discerning confessor will…
As Catholics, we know that each person is called to do God “some definite service”. What’s the role of the elderly and homebound, then? If they cannot actively partake in parish life, what can they do? As it turns out, quite a lot.